Tuesday, 1 July 2014 09:05:24 Europe/London

The modern shirt is the most covetable basic. A top of choice for summer wherever you are. OK, shirts never went away, but over recent years we have been swamped with boho tops - and the ubiquitous Tee shirthas reigned supreme. Shirts for day in crisp cotton, in optic clean white, shirts to love, to wash and wear till they are soft or to iron and ‘crisp up’ for a different vibe.

A cotton shirt a few sizes too big is the nicest beach cover up. A shirt protects burning shoulders whilst walking along the beach or splashing in the surf. Roll up the sleeves to bare tanned arms and reveal a wrist-full of beaded friendship bracelets.

Knot the ends under your bikini top for that BB sex kitten styling. Hop on and off boats on the Isle of Skye in shirts and a boyfriend cardigan if you are having a Swallows and Amazons holiday. How smart to just wear a cotton shirt with simple pants and espadrilles to walk along the Croisette in search of a Kir when the overdressed are decked out like Christmas trees.

COTTON OVERSHIRT £49Available in Black and White.

KNIT PANEL TUNIC £95Available in Black, White and Sky Blue.

Have a look at some of these shirts and blouses. The Cotton Poplin Perfect Shirt. The Cotton Over Shirt in black or white is a great holiday buy. The Grace Shirt in cotton poplin is a chic wrap-around style. There is a Summer Tunic in fine cotton lawn, which has subtle caftan styling. Not exactly a shirt but the Cotton Henley has a shirt collar and comes in white, sand and blue. Anyone for tennis?